Events

Join Volunteer Naturalist Mike Mihalik to explore spring wildflowers at Cedar Gap Conservation Area. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool. Bring a snack and water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. We will hike the 1.6-mile loop trail.

Registration required (ages 12+) Knowing the basics for constructing a simple shelter to escape the weather or spend the night in a wilderness situation is a valuable skill. Building forts and tipis in your backyard with your kids can also be a valuable skill plus a lot of fun! You will learn how to use rope lashing to build a simple pole structure and how to stay dry on your next camping trip with a tarp and guy lines. Plus, other fun camping/shelter hacks to get you ready for the summer camping season. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Join us in exploring the natural wonders inside Hunter’s Cave at Three Creeks Conservation Area (Boone County). Pack a water bottle and dress for the weather; an additional layer may be desired as cave temperatures are usually 55-57 degrees Fahrenheit. Participants will be walking in water so rubber boots or closed-toe shoes that can get wet are required. Hard hats and flashlights provided, but feel free to bring your own. Access to the cave requires a 15-minute hike in hilly, at times steep terrain and entering a small gate with an opening that is approximately three feet tall by two feet wide. Transportation from Runge will not be provided. Participants will meet at Three Creeks. Details, including directions on where to meet, will be emailed in advance. Registration required. Ages 18+

Natural light is important to help balance and guide our natural world, especially at night. In urban areas such as St. Louis, you may not even be able to see the stars due to mass amounts of light, otherwise known as light pollution, being shown in the area. Hear about light pollution, how it effects our wildlife, and learn ways to help lend a hand to those who need the night sky. We will make a moving and impactful postcard craft that will be put on display for visitors to look at, and then we will mail you your postcards after they’re taken down so you can remember the program.

Meet an MDC naturalist in Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center classrooms C and D.

Attend this program virtually to learn more about 25 beautiful, common species of butterflies and how surveys are conducted. Test your new knowledge with a fun, online, Wild About Pollinators, Blooket trivia game played individually on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. No account or login is necessary to join this Blooket game.

Attend in-person for the sixth annual Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network training for the Kansas City area! Enjoy a slide show about 25 beautiful, common species of butterflies, learn how surveys are conducted and play a fun, Wild About Pollinators Blooket trivia game. If you are interested in conducting and recording butterfly surveys, after the indoor program join in a mock butterfly survey using the gardens around the nature center and prairie by the parking lot (about ½ mile walk). We will also go over how to enter the data on the Pollard Base website and choose a route on a public natural area.

Enrich your life by nature immersion to reduce stress, improve sleep and many more possible health benefits. Paddle around our tranquil pond for some kayak “therapy” and enjoy a guided, interpretive nature stroll down the Hickory Grove trail. Nature Rx topics to look forward to this year include: archery, atl atl, craft and learn or work and learn style programs and more! Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.

This 1.5-hour beginner-friendly class will begin at the Picnic Pavilion on Riverlands Way in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This program is made possible by an education cooperative agreement between the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Mississippi River Water Trail Association. Staff will discuss water safety guidelines and review the basics to kayaking on Ellis Bay. Participants and guides will then launch their boats and set off to paddle around Ellis Bay. Kayaks, paddles and USCG life jackets provided for all. Participants must be 12 years of age and up. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please see the important information below:

* Since this is an official American Canoe Association (ACA) sanctioned event, all participants are required to complete a smart waiver that will be sent out after registration. If the waiver is not completed the participant will not be able to participate.

*Weight Limits:

Our boats are typically limited to 300 lbs. Please contact board@mississippiriverwatertrail.org if you weigh 250 lbs or above, so that we can accommodate with the appropriate kayak.

* Participants will meet at the Picnic Pavilion on Riverlands Way (approximately 1 mile down the road/past the Audubon Center at Riverlands building).

Get an up-close look at the fascinating feeding habits of Missouri venomous snakes! Join Powder Valley naturalists virtually for the feeding of our captive snakes while learning more about the interesting lives of both copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. Please register all individuals who will be watching the livestream (including children) so that we may get an accurate total for the amount of people who participated in this program.

This program will take place on the virtual meeting platform Webex. The link for the program will be sent out to registered participants one week before the program, as well as one day before the program.

Come meet one of the ambassador snakes who calls Powder Valley home. Learn all about that species and hear about its journey of coming to live at the Nature Center. After the snake encounter, spend time enjoying the rest of the exhibits! An MDC naturalist and ambassador snake will be located inside the Nature Center lobby.